• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Preamp + Power amplifier vs. Standalone Amplifier

Hey everyone, I couldn't find info on this topic in the forum already, so here it is.

I've been wanting to step up and get a good rig for awhile now, and I'm pretty much set on the Eden WP100 Navigator Pre-amp, running into an Eden D410XST. Of course, I'll need to get a power amp for this setup as well, which made me question...

Is there any real difference between using a preamp and power amplifier, versus using an amplifier that does both jobs?

I would imagine that the main difference would be matching the wattage of a power amplifier to your cabinets instead of matching the wattage of a regular amplifier to your cabinets, it would also necessitate the use of a rack. Is there more to it than that? Is matching watts from a power amp more important than matching them with a regular amp? Should my power amp's wattage be a bit over my cabinet's RMS capacity/ A bit under/ Does it matter? Is either particularly dangerous to my setup? Thanks!
 
I haven't read much good about Eden stuff on TB.

That's because you joined too late. ;)

Eden used to be the business, around TB and elsewhere. Eden is not the flavour of the month anymore, and there were some quality and service issues right after the new ownership arrived.

Eden gear is still excellent, but they haven't quite been able to keep up with the current lightweight and micro trend.
 
Hey everyone, I couldn't find info on this topic in the forum already
We have this topic nearly every day, and it's also covered in the stickied FAQ. See there also for the question about how much power for your speakers.
I would imagine that the main difference would be matching the wattage of a power amplifier to your cabinets instead of matching the wattage of a regular amplifier to your cabinets, ...Is matching watts from a power amp more important than matching them with a regular amp?
A "regular amp" contains a "power amp". It's all power amp watts, no matter the package.